Hey everyone,
I got to admit, 2017 was an incredible year. I got some new stories up, got Preventing Trouble completely up to date, had a great holiday and discovered that some of my stories are better off getting a proper look-over so I can alter what needs to be altered. This will be done in 2019, I can promise you all that. I originally wanted to do it in 2018 – but didn't get the chance as there were a few factors in my personal life that prevented this.
Still, what did I get done in 2018? Well, we finished up several stories, created several new ones, I decided to divide several CR stories over various sequels – such as Fate's Finale which is now finished and this one, hence the new added bit of title – and I had a lot of fun – most of the time – writing the stuff that I did.
2018, a good year,

Venquine1990


Chapter 35
Jessica And James

30th of January 1995
Special Room, The Dimension
Riku's POV

It's been an hour since Sora and Jessica started their exams and while Sora got better scores for the subjects that were properly covered in the first book than for those only mentioned here and there, did Jessica actually prove that having someone to make proud is something really important to her and makes her do her utter best.
Her lowest scores, even if the tests were four and a half years ago, was only 89%, yet she also proved that she hadn't remembered everything perfectly as her highest was 98%, yet neither the girl, her brother or her father had really cared. Instead, the group had celebrated their family's brilliant scores with a delicious cake. I had caught myself on having a small desire to do the tests as well, but decided to just do it another time.
Jessica had also returned to her room and gotten changed into something more comfortable before she and her father decided to get a little exercise. And with a little exercise, the two actually meant going through a wizarding duel, yet while they didn't use anything lethal, was it still incredible to watch them move as they used their magic.
And while Sirius is definitely the one with more experience, does it seem as if her new form has increased Jessica's already incredible reflexes and speed, making it so that, in the end, Sirius only won by using the environment against his daughter, making her trip over a bit of floor that he enchanted to move up just as she was evading one of his curses. And the fact that Jessica actually hit him, but he didn't hit her once says everything.

"I wonder how good they'll be once they learn about our forms of magic." Sora had mumbled and I had agreed, yet I had also very much enjoyed the way that he had gone to sit with me, my legs spread and him leaning against my frame while I loosely wrapped my arms around his torso, his hands entwined with my own.
"I can only imagine. Though learning to mix the two up might help as well. If not in war, then just to ensure that we have the upper hand if someone ever tries to get a surprise attack on us." Sirius then proves that he heard his son as he says this and Jessica nods in agreement with this, yet then Sirius grimaces and says:
"Of course it would help if I actually have a Keyblade of my own, but – that's a matter for a later date." At this Jessica grimaces herself and she asks: "Sora, why does dad not have a Keyblade of his own yet? Is he not worthy of the ritual or something?" At this Sora shrugs and I feel stupid for not knowing myself.

Yet then the ethereal voice of Lady Destiny speaks, shocking us as she says: "It is best if Sirius does not gain his Keyblade yet. For now, he is better off teaching your brother and his mate the art of magic, while Sora and Riku teach you the art of the Keyblade. Once you are at your brother's level in his first quest, it will be Sirius' time."
This makes me feel a little guilty, yet Sirius seems to understand and says: "Can't have too much of a good thing, after all." And I get the feeling that Lady Destiny is pleased with his understanding. "So, what can you teach us, dad?" Sora asks and his father shrugs, yet does so with a smirk on his face and starts to list things up:
"Spell casting, how to chain spells together, how best to move while casting chains, certain positions that help certain spells, how to switch between defensive and offensive spells, how to become an Animagus, how to use certain forms of magic in certain situations –." Yet then Sora interrupts him and excitedly asks:
"Wow, wow, wow, wow, wait a minute. How to what? Become an Animagus? Like – change into a dog like you do?" But Sirius smiles and says: "A dog, a rat, a stag, a cat, a beetle. It all depends on several things, such as character and traits that a person both tries to openly show and that a person tries to hide away, but – yeah.
He then turns to his daughter and says: "You are certainly old enough for it and as long as we use the material that can no doubt be provided by the Special room – and as long as none of you try this without me present – I don't see any reason why the three of you can't return to our birthworld with an Animagus form of your own.

Just don't break that one rule. I know the spell to keep someone from being an Animagus and I will cast it if I spot you practicing without me present." At this all three of us nod, yet then Jessica asks: "I – I know this isn't really something guys enjoy, but – could I ask you to do me one tiny favor? Pretty please with cherry on top?"
And just the fact that she asks it like that instantly has me worried and I ask: "What kind of favor exactly are we talking about here?" Only to feel like sighing in relief as the girl squirms and asks: "Would you – allow me to model cloths I might want to wear if I ever go on a date with Lea after we're done here – or sooner?"
And while the girl says all this in one breath is she perfectly understandable and Sirius sighs as he says: "Jessica, we thought it was something serious. Something through which you could hurt yourself." And this actually shocks the girl, but then she says: "Why? I called it something boys in general don't like, not just you guys."

At this I have no rebuttal and neither do my beloved or his father, who asks: "So, what are these outfits?" And the girl actually squeals and jumps on the spot while clapping her hands really fast before she rushes up to her bedroom, leaving a small trail of dust behind her. And we all smile at each other at the sight of this.
"Okay, so I just want to get the most awkward out of the way first, so – this is the outfit I would want to wear if I ever want Lea to think me – well hot and sexy. Sorry, dad." The girl says a few minutes later as she comes down, yet while I only half get what she means at first, do I get the full picture as she twirls on her axis.
The top itself, while having shoulder sleeves and a bit of a deep cut in the round neckline, doesn't look all that sexy – until you look at the back, which has transparent lace with three small bows just under the neckline and has a floral pattern through the transparent part. And the leather shorts that reach only halfway up the calves don't help.
"You – will wear a robe or a jacket over that, right?" Sirius asks and Jessica cringes as she says: "If it's cold." At which the man sighs and says: "Not until your own birthday, got it." And while I can tell that Jessica is a little disappointed, does she still nod in acceptance. She then smiles, twirls one more time and then heads back upstairs.

"It sure was nice of her to do the sexy one first. Get the awkward stuff out of the way and all that." Sora then says and his father sighs as he says: "Yeah, and I'm glad that she's getting so in tune with who she has become. Or better said, what gender she has become. She's proving she was meant to be born a girl more and more."
"Is that a bad thing?" Sora asks and Sirius answers: "No, it just makes me feel as if I should have helped her get to this point sooner. It could have prevented a lot of the crap that happened from actually happening and it so obviously makes her so happy and – that's just what any parent wants; for their kid to be happy." At this we all nod and then, a few minutes later, we get proof that Jessica wants to even things out.
This because her next outfit is the utterly gorgeous blue dress with bronze appliques and while I expected it to look even better on her as a female, can I barely believe how utterly perfect the dress seems to be made for her as every aspect of her body seems to be amplified in style, grace and beauty by the dress's shape and design.

Yet then I get blinded by a sudden short flash of light and I turn to where it came from as Sora lowers a camera and says: "Sorry, but I felt that mum and Lea deserved to see her like this as well. She looks too gorgeous not to let them see it." I agree with him on this, yet Jessica turns concerned and even a little fearful as she asks:
"You – you didn't – you didn't take a picture of my – my other outfit, right?" And when Sora shakes his head, does the girl sigh relieved before she says: "I'll show you one more outfit and then – what will we do then?" To which we all share a look and I ask: "Maybe – do a few more exercises. We do still have those bike lessons waiting and I definitely want to try out flying a broom." At which both Sora and Jessica nod in excited agreement.
At this Jessica then turns around and heads back upstairs and after we hear her door close, does Sora prove that he really is a brilliant protective big brother as he says: "There is no way I was going to take a picture of her other outfit and share that with mum or Lea, not if they were still at Hogwarts. Not around all those potential perverts."

We all nod at this and Jessica makes us smile widely as her last outfit is modest, yet shows off her body greatly without revealing more skin than necessary, even for a bond as strong as the one she has with Lea. A red dress with halter neckline and with a skirt that flows out slightly and is knee-length with a very tiny slit at the sides that is only the length of my own pinkie finger with black heels with ankle straps and thick heels.
Again Sora takes a picture and Sirius smiles as he says: "You look brilliant, sweetie. Ready for a first date even.""You don't think it too much for a first date?" Jessica asks and Sirius shakes his head as he says: "No, it's perfect. Modest, yet with the ability to show off how gorgeous you are and with enough chance for proper mobility, which will help with our upcoming activities as well." And then Sora makes us laugh as he says:
"Yeah, and Lea's definitely going to love how it represents his favorite element." We all laugh at this and then Sirius says: "Alright, let's have a quick bit of lunch and then have some fun riding our new toys." At this we all nod and Sora's camera lights up before a note appears on top of it that says: "Pictures have been send." Making us smile.

"Just – just a – a quick question. Could – could we – could we do this – every time we finish a movie or book?" Jessica then asks, rubbing the toes of one of her shoes into the carpet of the floor and Sora asks back: "Wouldn't you want to do it more often?" To which the girl answers: "I don't want to make you do something you don't like." Yet this makes us share a look as that is obviously the girl's upraising talking and Sirius says:
"Well, that's too bad, cause we do like it." Shocking the girl and Sirius says: "Sure, we'll probably hate going shopping, especially once Lily starts focusing on my upcoming wedding, but this isn't the same. This is you proving that you love being who you are and what you've become. And we love seeing that proof."
He then moves over to her and lies his hand against her cheek as he says: "So if you want to do this more often, like every other break or something, we won't mind." Making the girl whisper a soft: "Thanks dad." Before we all have our meal and then call onto the traveling methods, Sirius calling onto two Nimbus' and telling us they are the better brooms to practice flying on and Sora and me calling onto a couple of bikes.

We then decide to practice the bike riding first and while I had also called onto two bars that could be put onto the back of the bikes for us to hold and keep the bikes steady, do Sora and I first show Sirius how to use the bike ourselves before Sora helps Jessica and I help my future father-in-law. And in absolutely no time do both of them make it so that we can let go of the bars and ask the room to take the bars off of the bikes.
The two ride several circles and laps around the rooms and Sora even calls on two more for himself and for me and we happily join the two for about an hour before Sirius and Jessica take over from the teaching roles. And only half an hour later do I experience almost the same elation and sense of strength as when I am with Sora, whether it is fighting alongside him against the Heartless or just being in his presence.

In the mean time
At Hogwarts
James' POV

Lea, Neville and I finished healing up the students hurt by Umbridge and got Lily to enchant their hands to make it look as if they are still suffering before we got the promise from both Minerva and surprisingly Severus that they will ensure that Umbridge won't get all of the detentions regardless of the Educational Decrees she keeps putting up. Minerva also promised she would discuss the Campbrina contract with Albus post haste.
After this, Neville asked for my help in a little something, the look on his face proving me this was going to be something I would enjoy as much as I did healing those students and we left for Gryffindor common room. The Fat Lady had been beyond ecstatic at seeing us and had opened even before Neville could give her the password. This had startled the lad, yet he had not let it bother him and he had led us up the stairs to his dorm.

There I had heard something that really bugged and bothered me. One of his dorm mates, who is now a former dorm mate of my daughter, named Seamus Finnegan had apparently believed the Ministerial slander of my daughter, had made her dorm life difficult and had even led a few acts of students that could be considered bullying.
Seamus had tried to disagree with this, but I had shot him down and asked: "Would you want to be treated like that? Do you think my child would gather other students to go against you? And why would a child lie about the person they think killed their parents anyway?" And this instantly made the boy see sense. We had also talked about other stuff and I learned that he and Dean had turned on Harry several times before.
I had asked them: "But why? Why would you keep making the same mistake? Why would you keep believing others over the one they are talking about? Why do you constantly turn into bullies whenever the student sheep body decides to be stupid? Why would you want to take anyone the sanctuary that is their dorm?" And the two hadn't really had an answer, which I told them I wanted before they decide whether or not to transfer.
The two had been confused and I had explained them the situation before my inner mother came up and I snapped: "And let me tell you boys one thing. Even without Harry having changed into Jessica would you guys not share a dorm with her anymore after the transfer. The rules of Campbrina would have labeled you as bullies and bullies are forbidden from sharing a dorm with their victims, regardless of age, level of studying or otherwise.

You boys think about that." I tell them both sternly, the two looking down and obviously feeling a little guilty. Yet then I got a shock as Jessica actually summons me to the Special Room. There the girl asks me if I am at Hogwarts and I confirm this, but don't tell her that I am dealing with Seamus and Dean as I don't consider it something she needs to care about anymore. Instead I tell her about how we just finished our healing chore and the girl says:
"I need you to get a one-on-one with Dumbledore. We're about to finish the last chapter of my first year and I just realized something. Snape suspected Quirrell ever since Halloween and even before then. But everything Snape suspects, he reports to Dumbledore, just like all other members in the Order and even some of the staff at Hogwarts. I want to know why Dumbledore didn't take these suspicions seriously."
This knowledge really worries me as I can tell that there is something seriously wrong with this Quirrell person, even if I don't know the full story and I ask: "You have your own suspicions, don't you?""I do. And tell Dumbledore that, if I'm right, not even you, dad, Sora and Lea can ever convince me to go back to Hogwarts again."
And instantly I get the full story, at which I grimace and nod before I get send back. "What – what just happened?" Dean asks shocked and I answer: "Jessica called on me. She needed my help with something. If you'll excuse me, I need to talk with someone." And I leave the confused group of boys behind me.

At the entrance to the common room, I see Severus, who apparently decided to wait for us and I ask: "What can you tell me about a man named Quirrell?" The man grimaces and says: "This is actually confidential, but –." The man looks around and then quickly casts a whole group of privacy spells before he goes on: "The Dark Lord was using him as a host. He was your child's DADA teacher during her First year here."
This infuriates me as it reminds me of the little issue that Jess brought up about the Dark Object Reject ward, yet then I realize something and I feel even more furious as I snarl: "Come with me. You're not going to like this." At which the man asks: "Then why should I come along?" To which I retort: "Because you deserve to know this." Which intrigues the man and he moves with me as I storm through the castle.
Students move to the side as they see us pass and I hear some of them whisper about Snape following me. Yet I care nothing for this as we arrive at Dumbledore's office and I ask: "Do you know the password?" And Snape answers: "Yes, it's Fizzing Whizzbee." And just like the rare few times before now does the name of the candy being a password not cheer me up. Instead of that, do I continue my march up to the office and knock on the door with the Griffin knocker.
"Come in, James." Albus calmly says from the other side and I feel a little glad to see three chairs stand within his office as I come in. Yet thanks to what I realized and found out, am I too unnerved and furious to sit down and the man asks: "How can I help you? Are you alright, James? You seem quite upset with something."

At this I take a deep breath as I just know I will explode or do something I'll regret if I don't and I ask: "During Jess' First year, when did you find out that – the Dark Lord was on the back of Quirrell's head?" And I look at Snape as I say this acronym to prove that I am doing this mostly for him, earning me a grateful look.
"James, how many times do I have to –.""I don't care for your saying, Albus. Answer my question. When did you find out?" And the man sighs before he answers: "In May. Poppy wanted to run diagnostics on all teachers, but Quirrell was vehement in his refusal, regardless of the fact that he looked quite sick at the time.
I did a bit of spell work myself and found out that dark magic was keeping him alive. I researched that and found out what kind of Dark magic. By that time it was only days before Jessica – at the time Harry – went down the Third Floor corridor and confronted him." This shocks and terrifies me, yet I ignore it for the time being.

"Was Jessica alright?" I ask, just because I know it will create the wrong image with Albus or give him the impression I don't care for my child's health and while right now I just want to focus on defending Severus' rights, which I am sure neither of the two men in the room with me would ever expect, does Albus sound sincerely regretful and concerned as he answers: "He was in the Hospital Wing for three days.
He was in a coma created by him almost draining his magical core for the sake of keeping an object of mine safe." And while I suddenly remember the bloody horrible item that Albus had my baby come across during his First Christmas, do I then realize what the man is doing. This reignites my fury and I angrily hiss: "You know."
The man looks startled and I say: "You know. You know why I'm here. You know what I'm so angry about and you're trying to use my love for my own child from keeping me from revealing it. You don't want to admit the horrible thing you are causing one of your own." And the fact that Albus grimaces proves everything.

"What exactly are we talking about here?" Severus asks, looking between the two of us as if he's wondering to himself who his actual enemy is supposed to be and I decide to make sure he realizes it himself as I ask: "Tell me, Snape. Has the Dark Lord – I am saying it like that for him, Albus, stay out of this – has he ever mentioned – his time sucking off of Quirrell's body? Has he ever mentioned what you did to Quirrell?"
And while Albus looks concerned and worried, do Snape's eyes widen and he whispers: "He – he mentions it – all the time just – just like the – the Minister does – does your child in – FOR GOODNESS' SAKE, ALBUS. I'VE BEEN WONDERING ABOUT THIS FOR MONTHS! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?"
"You knew that Tom was –." Albus tries, but Snape snaps back: "I DIDN'T KNOW THAT UNTIL AFTER YOU TOLD THE ORDER AT THAT ONE MEETING THAT DIDN'T HAVE MOLLY OR ARTHUR PRESENT!" And this makes Albus whiten before Snape, who had shot up, sits back down and leans forward, hunching over as he puts his face in his hands and groans loudly into his hands before he furiously growls:
"If I had known, I would have gone there the minute I felt my mark heat up. If I had known – if I had gone – I could have done so much more. I could have – for MERLIN'S SAKE! I could have saved Potter and told the Dark Lord it was on your orders. That I played on your orders because you were worried for your Champions. I could have made him more cautious, made him more wary of turning against you and those you care for.

I could have saved Potter the horror of battling that monster. I could have made sure he was spared some of the trauma he went through. Merlin's beard, Albus, that night – that – that night could have – it could have gone so different. So – so much better for the kid." The man moans in the end, sagging back in his chair in tiredness.
"Severus, why – why are you –?" Albus asks and this really infuriates me as I ask: "Albus, are you telling me that Severus should care more for his feud with me than the safety of the students? That he should not care if a student gets traumatized by witnessing murder and a dark resurrection ritual take place?" And Albus reels back as if slapped. I then take a deep breath and remember what Jessica told me as she summoned me earlier.

"Well, you're lucky, Albus. Lucky that you only knew of the Dark Lord being where he was for such a short time. If you had known for longer, if you had known since somewhere around Halloween when Severus here first started suspecting the guy – well, that's the whole reason Jessica summoned and informed me in the first place.
And she summoned me with a warning, Albus, one that I could tell she would have lived up to regardless of anything or anyone. That, if you had known before then, if you had kept the Dark Lord in Hogwarts, just because you felt that testing my child was more important than the students' safety – yes, Albus, that is how Jessica sees that whole mess – nothing and no one will ever get her back to Hogwarts again.
Not me, not Sirius, not Lea, not Sora, not her friends, not anyone like Umbridge or Malfoy – sorry Snape – hurting them to lure her here. No one. Because unlike what you seem to believe, Albus, that prophesy does not give my child the power to defend an entire school – filled with much stronger, more experienced and much better abled witches and wizards – from someone who killed hundreds and hundreds of others."
And while Albus seems to want to object, do we then get shocked when suddenly Lady Destiny appears, her appearance ever changing, yet her face showing she is determined to set things right. And the fact that she is glaring at Albus with this much determination makes even the great wizard himself whiten in concern.

"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. I will say this only once. You are deluding yourself with your confidence in your plans. They are well-thought out, but they are also immoral and focus too much on the long term. There are too many short-term incidents, problems and complications in each of them.
They will get the job done, but the consequences are – not – worth – it. I have seen that. I have seen it when I created the books of Jessica's future, Harry's future. I made sure to stop the final book before evidence of this could be given and – and made the epilogue out of what I only saw in one future – one out of 3026 different ones.
And I want you to know, Albus Dumbledore, that this future was the most positive, one of the only positive. In total, I saw only 24 futures that were positive. Twenty-four out of three thousand and twenty-six, Albus Dumbledore. And know this, that future – did not come from the story that is now part of the books.
The multiverse – an endless amount of universes created out of that very famous saying – the butterfly effect – is very much real and if you go down the path you do now, Albus Dumbledore, if you continue to give up virtues and morals for the Greater Good, no one will experience the good. Know this and remember my warning."

This really shocks the ancient man, yet I definitely noticed him doing this a few times. Then Lady Destiny shocks me and says: "Jessica does indeed have the chance to lead the future right, but not because she has any kind of power. It is her character, her very being, that will inspire others to create that better future.
Remember that, Albus. Let Jessica make her choices, respect her desires, her virtues and her morals, and the world you desire will come. This, I promise. She need not be a leader to be a good role model for the sake of a better tomorrow. She is a supporter. She has her warriors, people who can get done what you want to see done, but it can't be done, not through her." And with that does the ancient, powerful being vanish from the room, awing us all.
I then look at Albus, who looks deep in thought, yet then Lily, who actually stayed behind to explain things more detailed to Dean and Seamus before she joined us here, gasps and I look at her, only to notice something that appeared behind me. I turn around and notice several giant bags with a small note stuck to one of them. I pick it up and read: "All the letters ever send to Jessica. Already cleansed and ready to be answered."
At this I look up and share a glance with Lily, telling her that we have some work to do. I then turn to Albus and say: "We'll talk later, Albus. Please, keep Lady Destiny's words in mind. It can only do you good." The man nods and then, with help from Lily and surprisingly Severus, do I levitate the bags out of the office and down the stairs.

Yet when I reach a set of rooms that Severus says my fellow teachers and I can stay in while we stay at Hogwarts, do I notice a light coming off of a small side table that is set next to the door leading in. I put the bags down and pick up the pictures that came from the light. And a huge smile grows on my face as I see the lot of them as two of them show Jessica showing herself off in brilliant outfits and the others show my family having fun.
"What you've got there, James?" Lily asks and I say: "Some great motivation to tackle those letters. Check these out. You want a look, Snape?" But the man shakes his head and says: "No, I need to go. I need to – to rethink my strategy for the next time I meet with the Dark Lord." I nod at the man and wish him luck. And as he leaves, does Lea walk in, looking at the departing man with a concerned look before I say: "Hey Lea, check these out." And I hand him the first two.


Heh, good move,
So I didn't go into the whole letter thing with this edited version either, because I know there is the chapter called "A Mother At Work" and I actually look forward to working on that one. YES, I plan to work on that one as I plan to make it a little more – balanced. With that I mean that James is also going to cover a few letters/contracts set up by people who actually wanted to help their hero forward in the world.
Who you ask,

Venquine1990
PS. I have no clue – yet.